Castillo thinks Shaffer has the right stuff for title fight

Longtime training partner and Canton-based MMA fighter Tony Castillo believes GlenOak graduate Seth Shaffer has all the skills necessary to bring home the NAAFS Amateur Bantamweight title at Night of Champions.

Few fighters know Seth Shaffer better than North American Allied Fight Series professional Tony Castillo.

Castillo trained with Shaffer while both were based out of Victory MMA in Canton. Castillo recently left Victory to start his own venture based out of the MAC T gym on Tuscarawas Street W, but not before ensuring that Shaffer would be able to join him from time to time to train.

"We've trained together for a while," Castillo said. "I've really watched him grow. We have a tight connection. I left Victory, but I still wanted to work with Seth. I think Victory is the best place for him to be full time and I think he knows that.

"It's good for him to show loyalty to them because loyalty is important in this sport. I left there, but I don't have any bad feelings toward anybody."

Castillo believes Shaffer has big talent and Castillo knows a thing or two about working with big talent. Castillo lives in Canton but prepares for his fights at the MTC gym in Chicago. He often works with recognizable fighters such as UFC standout Clay Guida and former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe. Even at Shaffer's young age (20) Castillo believes he could survive a training session with the pros.

"There are a lot of people that would go there and get eaten alive," Castillo said. "I think going out there after only five fights would be difficult. I went out there after 25 amateur and professional fights and got my head caved in. After that you sit down ... (and) think about things. You can let it beat you, or it can spark you and make you want to get better.

"I think it would spark Seth. I think he would respond to being pushed."